Real Madrid hand a debut to a giant, but who is Fran González?

Without Courtois and Lunin, a debut opportunity arises. Ancelotti doesn’t have either goalkeeper at 100% this afternoon, just minutes before hosting Valencia at the Bernabéu. So, he’s activated Plan B. That’s where Fran González comes in—the usual third-choice keeper in Carletto’s call-ups—who will now be tasked with guarding Real Madrid’s goal. The day he’s been waiting for has finally arrived.

Fran joined La Fábrica in 2022 from Cultural Leonesa, and according to those close to him, “he’s been living a dream ever since.” Standing at 1.99 metres tall, he commands the air with ease. But at the training ground, insiders say his talent goes far beyond just his height: “In the air, he’s at a top-flight level. He comes out confidently, and when he does, he either blocks or clears decisively.”

Why are Courtois and Lunin not playing for Real Madrid against Valencia?

Both of Real Madrid’s top goalkeepers are injured, giving Fran a perfect chance to make a name for himself in the side.

Like his idol Courtois, Fran is agile between the posts and quick to get low—an ability that helps him excel in one-on-one situations. Of course, there’s still room for refinement, and the club is working on it. His biggest improvement so far? His footwork. “You can tell he’s been doing rondos with the first team. The pace of the ball there is insane,” say those familiar with his progress.

Fran isn’t new to Ancelotti’s plans. The Italian coach has called him up 58 times as third-choice keeper—or as a direct backup when Courtois or Lunin were unavailable—meaning Fran is fully integrated into the first-team dynamic. That’s been his rhythm for nearly two seasons now, juggling between Carletto’s needs and his role in La Fábrica.

Last season, he started with Juvenil A but finished as the starting keeper for Pau Quesada in Real Madrid’s second reserve team, playing a crucial role in their promotion to the Segunda RFEF. There, he had another key mentor in his development: Jordi Codina. The former Madrid youth product—who also played for Getafe and APOEL—worked closely with Fran whenever first-team goalkeeping coach Llopis wasn’t available.

This season, Fran made the jump to Raúl’s Castilla, where he’s featured in 16 matches, depending on the first team’s needs.

Fans with sharp eyes might’ve noticed him celebrating with the team during last season’s LaLiga and Champions League victories—as well as the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. He’s also been part of this season’s silverware haul: the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.

After helping Spain win the European Under-19 Championship last summer, Fran joined Real Madrid’s pre-season tour in the United States—a significant step. Goalkeeping coach Llopis is a big admirer of his qualities, and Carletto has been impressed with his performances in training. It was Ancelotti himself who let Fran know his hard work was paying off. As a reward, the coach included him in the title celebration at Cibeles for Madrid’s 36th La Liga trophy—a recognition of the faith the club has in him, from top to bottom.

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And now, this Saturday against Valencia, that belief will be rewarded in the best way possible—with his official debut.

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